Fortuna Düsseldorf’s head coach Daniel Thioune is forced to improvise again. Second-league debuts are possible, a debut in any case.

There will be another debut next Saturday in Fortuna Düsseldorf’s home match against Arminia Bielefeld: For the first time, defensive all-rounder Matthias Zimmermann will lead the state capital onto the field as captain. Beyond that, there could once again be one or two players making their first appearance for Fortuna.

Since Daniel Thioune took over in February, it is also possible that at least player number seven will make his debut in the 2nd Bundesliga. Last season these were Takashi Uchino, Tim Köther, Marcel Mansfeld against Paderborn, and so far this season Daniel Bunk and Elione Fernandes Neto (in the 3:1 against Hansa Rostock) and Tom Geerkens (0:1 at Sandhausen). However, this is not (only) necessarily due to the fact that the former Ahlen striker and later six-man would be the great youth promoter, the personnel situation does not allow anything else.

There are numerous absentees again this weekend, including Daniel Ginczek, André Hoffmann, Nicolas Garvory or Rouwen Hennings. “I have said from the beginning that we will need the complete width and depth of the squad. I didn’t expect that we would need the complete depth of the performance centre,” Thioune admitted at the pre-match day PK on Thursday, but added: “I know I can rely on them.”

The same goes for U23 coach Nico Michaty and U19 coach Jens Langeneke, from whom Thioune regularly has to take away top performers. “I am incredibly happy about this support. A lot of people are measured by results, it’s hard for Nico too, not knowing who’s in his squad at the weekend.”

However, Thioune will not make good on one threat due to the convincing performances of the players from his own junior section: “I will refrain from threatening to put on the jersey. The boys from the U19 and U23 have overtaken me,” Thioune revealed with a smile.